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2018 GOLDEN GLOBE — WOW!

I was born in 1968, so it caught me a bit off guard when I learned that the 2018 Golden Globe Race will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1968 race that is still being talked about today. But the reminder that I’m on the eve of the half-century mark hasn’t diminished my enthusiasm.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, or were born recently, or new to the sailing world, the 1968 race spawned legends and legendary stories. The race was more than a race, it was a challenge. Nobody at the time had ever sailed solo, non-stop, unassisted around the world. Anybody who finished the race would be the first to do so. Was it even possible?

The world, Great Britain in particular, was buzzing about Sir Francis Chichester, knighted the year prior before cheering thousands for becoming the first to sail solo around the world via the clipper route. But a race in which solo sailors did it non-stop, without help, wow. Throw in constant media coverage of the race underway and a purse...everyone’s interest was piqued.

Now a legend in the sailing world, Bernard Moitessier famously turned away from the fame and fortune lying at the finish line and continued around, “To save my soul.” Robin Knox Johnston finished first and was himself knighted (in fact, he was the only finisher). Donald Crowhurst never left the Atlantic Ocean, yet faked position reports and drove himself to madness at the prospect of being discovered. He eventually stepped off the transom, his body never recovered, a wife and children left behind. Nigel Tetley lost his boat after circumnavigating, but before finishing, all because he was pushing her too hard in a bid to beat the phantom threat of Crowhurst’s progress. All of the remaining racers threw in the towel at some point along the route.

Now, in a world where long-distance ocean racing has become the exclusive domain of yachts emblazoned with corporate logos and piloted by professional skippers, along comes the 2018 Golden Globe Race. Only 30 racers can enter and all are restricted to sailing boats designed prior to 1988. No vessel can carry aboard any of the following: GPS, radar, chart plotters and electronic charts, electronic wind instruments, electronic log, mobile phone, iPhone, iPod, Kindle or any computer-based device, CD players, electronic watches/clocks, digital video or still cameras, electronics of any kind, satellite equipment of any kind, digital binoculars, pocket calculators, water-maker, carbon fiber, Spectra, or any high-tech materials. In short, with the exception of designated safety gear (such as satellite phone and tracking systems and modern AGM batteries), if it wasn’t aboard Robin Knox Johnston’s boat at the start of the 1968 race, it cannot be aboard a boat at the start of the 2018 race.

These are good old boats! And anyone who can pony up the entry fee and has access to a qualifying boat, can race. I can’t wait to follow along. - GOB editor, Michael Robertson

Check out our latest video

Check out our latest videos on the Good Old BoatYouTube channel! We're now adding videos regularly. Some videos are supplements to articles in Good Old Boat and The Dogwatch, others will stand alone. In the May 2018 issue, for example, they'll be able to read Drew Frye's article about Sewn eye-splics, and then click to watch a video in which walks you through making one. It's a new perspective we hope you enjoy. Our latest video was produced by Fionna McGlynn. It is about how, Golden Glober Racer, Mark Sinclair, is going to listen to music while racing. This video is a delightful supplement to Fionna's article on the Golden Globe Race in our current, July/August issue.

Sea Feverby David Watt

One Saturday, beside the bay,
A salesman slick and sweet
Cast practiced spiel of salty zeal
And confidence complete.

He said “This boat will stay afloat
When sea winds blow a gale,
And in the main, she won’t complain,
No matter how you sail.

“Commanding crew of one or two,
Proud Captain you will be,
With Captain’s hat, windblown cravat;
A dashing sight to see!

“In years ahead, when home in bed,
You’ll treasure purchase bold;
A bargain bought, Life’s high-tides caught!
May I mark the boat as SOLD?”

I met defeat, not through deceit,
But pitch good as it gets;
The pull of sea to large degree,
A wish for no regrets.

About to gloat, with sailing boat,
A bill of sale to show it;
There came a thought of some import –
I had no means to tow it!

David Watt is an Australian who enjoys writing poetry in traditional form, usually with a humorous twist. Several of his poems have appeared recently on The Society of Classical Poets website based in Mount Hope, New York.

IT'S ALL ABOUT NEWPORT
by Michael Robertson

The Newport International Boat Show will take place September 13th through 16th, 2018 at the Newport Yachting Center located in downtown Newport, Rhode Island. This show, which combines power and sail and is among the largest of the in-the-water shows, has been going strong since 1970. For more info: www.newportboatshow.com.

UNLESS IT’S ABOUT MYSTIC

Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut, is one of the leading maritime museums in the world, and always worth a visit. We’ve announced Mystic Seaport events in this space before. This time, it’s about their Antique and Classic Boat Rendezvous, July 27th through July 29th. While the rendezvous is open to any boat designed or built prior to 1975, this year the focus will be on John Alden-designed boats. So especially if you’ve got certain models of Cheoy Lee, Pearson, Hinckley, or Fuji, or one of many other Alden-designed boats, consider this event. It promises to be a good time.